You and your drinking buddy could be drinking Buddy while listening to Drinkin Buddy at this year’s Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair.
Let’s explain.
Firstly, the Niverville Fair Committee has announced Gord Bamford, whose 2007 hit “Drinkin Buddy” helped establish him as a Canadian country star, as the mainstage headliner for this year’s Saturday night concert on June 11.
And if you’re amongst the crowd who’ve been clamouring for suds sales at the fair, good news could be on the way.
At their April meeting, Niverville’s town council approved the Fair Committee’s request to sell beer in the concert area during the Saturday night country music show. If approval comes next from the Manitoba Liquor and Gaming Authority, this will be the first year cold ones will be served up at the Niverville event.
Fair Committee Marketing Coordinator Dustin Krahn says the decision reflects a changing community. “It’s definitely not something that would have gone over well 10 years ago,” says Krahn, adding that the committee isn’t looking to host a rowdy party but is responding to the wishes of fairgoers. “We have a younger community. And the Saturday night attracts a lot of people coming from Winnipeg. We’ve heard what people want.”
What people also want, and have come to expect, is a big-name headliner on stage to close out the fair’s Saturday mainstage lineup, and Bamford fits the bill. A 16-time Canadian Country Music Award-winning artist, Bamford boasts a list of hit songs longer than a June night.
“This is going to be a concert of hit songs people will know. He’s one of the more well known acts in Canada,” says Krahn while comparing Bamford to 2012 headliner Dean Brody. “He has just as many hits. He’s a big name. We’re pretty excited to see how the turnout is.”
Krahn jokes that by the time the Ferris wheel comes down at the end of the weekend, work is already underway on next year’s show. The committee starts by throwing around ideas and liaising with agents and industry folks about what acts may be available the following June.
In the case of Bamford, he will be touring in support of his seventh studio album, Tin Roof, which was released in April. Bamford has a reputation as a well-respected musician and songwriter as well as a hit-maker. Even the most casual country music fan will recognize his hit songs “Blame it on That Red Dress,” “Little Guy,” “Day Job,” and “Leaning on a Lonesome Song.” Additionally, his foundation has raised over $2.3 million in support of youth support initiatives across Canada.
Bamford will be preceded on stage by one of Canada’s most talked about up and coming country acts, The Washboard Union. The two-act combo will make this year’s mainstage lineup one of the strongest since the fair began booking big-name acts in 2008.
As for the beer, if the fair gets that MLGA approval, it will be available in the concert area during the Saturday night show only and won’t affect the fair’s family-first approach. After this year, the plan going forward will be reviewed.
The Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair runs Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11.
